I believe that experience is the most important thing for getting into the IT and cybersecurity industry. However, in order to gain experience, you need to get your foot in the door. Certifications are a good way to do that. They show a company that you put in some effort on your own to continue your learning outside of a degree program.

Director of Operations

Day In The Life Of A Director Of Operations In Cybersecurity

Jay McLaughlin Highlight

Paths Across Kansas

Explore career possibilities in Wichita and other nearby regions

Silhouette of the five roadtrippers on top of the green RV in a Kansas field

Paths Across Kansas logo featuring title text and GPS pin

Follow the journeys of five young Kansans as they take a deep dive into their home state's career possibilities. Hear stories of those who have found success in their fields. From aerospace and advanced manufacturing to healthcare and agriculture, discover the diverse range of career paths available in South Central Kansas. 

Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas

Cessna | Beechcraft | By Textron Aviation

Movie poster featuring the text "Roadtrip Nation: Paths Across Kansas" as well as a green RV against the backdrop of a blue sky and field

From left, “Paths Across Kansas” roadtrippers Austin, Mirza, Aubrie, and an employee experiment with a robot at The Smart Factory in Wichita, Kan.

From left, roadtrippers Gary, Mirza, and Austin pose with Common Ground Producers and Growers, Inc. founder Donna Pearson McLish and program advisor Randy Couts.

Deloitte principal Kelsey Carvell poses before her interview at the company’s Smart Factory initiative in Wichita, Kan.

At center, RISE Farms and Firefly Farm owner Leah Dannar-Garcia poses with the roadtrippers (from left, Austin, Aubrie, Hannah, and Mirza.

Roadtrippers Aubrie and Gary have a hands-on experience in the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center

The roadtrippers (from left, Austin, Gary, and Aubrie) pose with Jesse Romo, the Wichita Airport Authority’s director of airports.

Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center director Shelly Steadman shows the roadtrippers some of the equipment she has on hand to analyze evidence.

Second from right, Logan Sorensen, a spinal and total joint replacement navigator at Wesley Medical Center, shows roadtrippers Mirza and Hannah (from left) what a day in the life looks like.

Three of the roadtrippers (from left, Gary, Hannah, and Mirza) pose with RBS IT Solutions director of operations Jay McLaughlin (second from left) at company headquarters.

Art therapist Jessica Muret (at center) leads the roadtrippers in a project at Creative Bliss Therapy, which she co-founded with Katie Francis (not pictured)

Roadtripper Gary takes a dive into a pit full of plush 

Aeronautix associate engineer Abbas Qamar takes a headshot photo before his interview with the roadtrippers

The roadtrippers pose with Roy Moye III, an aerospace engineer and talent acquisition specialist for Spirit Aerosystems

The roadtrippers walk along a runway with an attendant, a jet sits in the background

Common Ground Producers and Growers, Inc. founder Donna Pearson McLish presents a vegetable to smiling roadtripper Austin

South Central Kansas Roadtrip

1 00:00:01.668 --> 00:00:05.638 I feel like my age group struggles a lot with identity, like who am I? What do I want to be? &gt;&gt; We are at that point of life where we are learning and we have to get somewhere. Can I do it? Am I able to do it? &gt;&gt; I know I want to find a job, something to do that I enjoy. What does that look like? I don't know yet. &gt;&gt; Society kind of expects you to decide on what you're doing for the rest of your life. So yeah, there's definitely doubt. &gt;&gt; I don't have a set path right now, and I know I just want to do something I'm interested in and I'm passionate about, but I don't know what that is yet. I'm trying to figure out where I want to kind of go. &gt;&gt; Yeah. &gt;&gt; So I really feel like it's important for me to kind of branch out and talk to people who have experiences that I've never thought of before. &gt;&gt; We're ready. Let's get a Roadtrip Nation on three. Here we go, Roadtrip Nation. Wait, no, wait, hold on, one, two, three, Roadtrip Nation. &gt;&gt; Roadtrip Nation [LAUGH]. &gt;&gt; We're getting to drive a big green RV around South Central Kansas to interview all sorts of people from all sorts of different backgrounds. &gt;&gt; Healthcare. &gt;&gt; Advanced manufacturing, agriculture. &gt;&gt; Information technology and aerospace. South Central Kansas got a little bit a mix of everything. [MUSIC] &gt;&gt; I just wanna hear people's stories. Could you tell us a little bit more about yourself, what journey you took to get where you are now? &gt;&gt; Can you tell us about any challenges or any sacrifices you had to make throughout your journey? &gt;&gt; What keeps you motivated? &gt;&gt; I actually think back to Wichita State. They had the slogan, thinker, doer, mover, and shocker. And I literally live by that. &gt;&gt; I want to take advantage of this opportunity just to meet cool people and get a more realistic insight. &gt;&gt; How do you see this specific industry kind of growing? &gt;&gt; There is no America without a farmer. There is no America without a rancher. &gt;&gt; What would it take for someone my age to get into the urban farming? &gt;&gt; Give us a call. &gt;&gt; [LAUGH] All right. &gt;&gt; Anybody wanna get a turnip? &gt;&gt; I wanna get a turnip. &gt;&gt; Oh my! &gt;&gt; Reach out. People are willing to help, if they recognize your love and your passion for something, they will help you. &gt;&gt; This is going to move you up and down, and left and right. It's gonna control where you look basically. &gt;&gt; [NOISE] &gt;&gt; It's cool to see just all the different fields. Because for me, I get exposed to different fields in classes and so I don't ever get to put it together in a way that you see it. And so for me, that was just so cool to be like, this is where it all is. &gt;&gt; Right. &gt;&gt; For me, that was just so cool. &gt;&gt; Do what you can with what you have right where you're at. Appreciate the fact that no one else can be you, and that when you lean into who you are, that's when things really start to happen. &gt;&gt; How'd you guys feel about the interview yesterday? &gt;&gt; It was life changing, honestly. &gt;&gt; Roadtrip Nation. [MUSIC] &gt;&gt; Pilot's waving at you. &gt;&gt; Hey, look the pilots are waving. [LAUGH] &gt;&gt; Can you honk the horn? &gt;&gt; [LAUGH] [SOUND] &gt;&gt; [LAUGH] &gt;&gt; Yeah, let's go. &gt;&gt; [LAUGH] &gt;&gt; [CROSSTALK] &gt;&gt; I didn't even know airplanes had a horn. &gt;&gt; That's awesome. 

A new two-episode series exploring exciting career opportunities in agriculture, aviation, advanced manufacturing, and more throughout South Central Kansas.

Paths Across Kansas Trailer

Meet the “Paths Across Kansas” roadtrippers. Follow along as they explore the Kansan healthcare system, and see how Wichita companies are pushing the world of advanced manufacturing into the future.

Episode 1: Heartland Innovation

Get down into the nitty-gritty of the ever-growing Kansas agriculture industry, then take to the skies with one of Wichita’s premiere aerospace companies. Gain insight into the rewards that come with pursuing a fulfilling career in your home state.

Jay McLaughlin

Director of Operations

Videos

Jay McLaughlin

Milestones

Education

Career

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

My work combines:

Technology

Business

Problem Solving

Advice for Getting Started

Interviewed By

Paths Across Kansas

Jay McLaughlin

Director of Operations

Videos

Jay McLaughlin

Milestones

Education

Career

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

My work combines:

Technology

Business

Problem Solving

Advice for Getting Started

Interviewed By

Paths Across Kansas

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